Durational aspects of oral swallow in neurologically normal children and children with cerebral palsy: An ultrasound investigation

Little data exist on the oral management of food boluses in neurologically normal children or children with cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty children with spastic CP and 20 neurologically normal children (age range: 6.2–12.9 years) were monitored with ultrasound imaging of the oral cavity during liquid and solid bolus tasks. A lip-cup contact detector synchronized to ultrasound image output was used during liquid tasks. Data collected from recorded ultrasound images were used to assess durational aspects of the oral phase of swallowing in neurologically normal children and children with CP. Coordinated analysis of ultrasound images with lip-cup contact data allowed timing of intervals in the pre-oral and oral phases of swallowing during liquid feeding tasks. Children with CP required more time than neurologically normal children for collection, preparation, oral transit, and total oral swallow time for 5-ml liquid boluses. Total oral swallow time was longer for solid bolus tasks in children with CP. Oral transit time for solid boluses was significantly longer than for liquid boluses in neurologically normal children and children with CP.